Assess Your Own Business
Self
Assessment Check
Asking
the Right Questions
Before
You
Start Check
What I Can Do For You
Categories
I Work On
Details
of Work
Some Background Papers
Layoff?
Is There An Alternative?
Principles
Generating Business
Find
Money, Social
Services
Realistic
Decision Making
Basic
Principles/Action Rules
Relevant Site
Site
Creation
Other Helpful Sites
http://www.flyingsolo.com.au/
השותף החדש בעסק: האינטרנט
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Things
to
check before you rent or buy a location for
a storeIf you like the thrill of driving
on empty, do not take any of the following into
consideration.If
your business depends on foot
traffic
- Do
a survey of the foot traffic on your side of the street according to
type, composition, overall volume, daily peaks and troughs, seasonal
shifts, new construction plans in the area.
- Do a
survey of other businesses or
attractions in the area which may provide coincidental customers.
- Check
out the successes and failures of the businesses before you in the same
location and length of tenancy.
- Find
out by contacting previous owners what went wrong if anything.
Determine
if the negative rating, if there is one, is due to customer
availability, advertising, services, conflicts or policies of
building
owner, city regulations, etc. The more investigative work you do, the
greater the chances are that you will survive if you can
overcome,
through
pre-knowledge, the pitfalls of business in a particular spot.
- Do
a survey of other competing businesses in the area and what the
advantages and disadvantages are to opening your business in a
particular spot.
- If
necessary, recalculate the costs of situating in one spot as against
another in terms of possible profits. A higher rent area may
net you
far greater than a lower, unless you realistically determine that you
can overcome any impediments which might exist.
- Determine
on
what the rent or purchase price is based. This may take some
digging
and asking around. Never shy from approaching others in the area for
information, opinions, etc.
Renovation
Most
shops cannot open up on the basis of a previous tenant's concept of
design, and functionality. But make a clear assessment as to how much
renovation to do, and most importantly, when to do it. On the idea that
your business should be based on the quality of your product and your
services, it may not be necessary to pour large amounts of
valuable funding on reproducing Caesar's Palace, unless that is all you
ever wanted, with or without customers. The concept of renovation over
time as additional needs, increased visibility and functionality
dictate specific changes and additions, provides the basis for growth
in success. Take a look at where McDonald's started in San Bernardino,
California.
Advertising
(just a few pointers)
Store Front
- If
you do not have a known brand, determine what type of advertising will
appeal to the different types of foot traffic.
- If
you plan on doing advertising, be sure that your brand, logo, and store
front
advertising will be instantly recognizable by passersby whether foot or
vehicle. Make it simple but powerful.
In Store
- Be
sure that your main sales attraction is highlighted visually.
- If
there are add-ons, be sure that they are highlighted, available,
described, priced, etc. so that the customer can make an informed
decision.
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